Military, Police Deploy Teams In Prayer Grounds Over DSS Alert

Military, Police Deploy Teams In Prayer Grounds Over DSS Alert

In a move to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations nationwide, the security forces have deployed operatives in Eid prayer grounds, recreation centres, and fun spots across the country.

Additionally, the military has placed troops at operation theatres on red alert just as the acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dispatched thousands of police personnel at strategic points ahead of today’s celebrations.

The deployment came five days after the Department of State Services raised the alarm over an alleged plot by suspected terrorists to attack worship and religious centres during the Eid festivities.

The spokesperson for the Service, Peter Afunanya, had in a statement said the recovery of improvised explosive devices from terrorists in joint operations by the DSS, Nigerian Army and Police laid credence to the planned attack.

He, therefore, urged members of the public, including operators of malls among other public places, to be vigilant and not hesitate to report any suspicious movement to security agencies.

Speaking with The PUNCH on the measures being taken to curtail the reported threat in an interview on Tuesday, the Director of the Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, assured that troops were ever ready to contain any menace to national security.

“Our troops at various theatres of operations are on the alert to curb any security threat,’’ he simply stated.

In a related manner, the IG said he had directed zonal assistant inspectors- general of police and commissioners of police to deploy personnel and equipment to ensure adequate security throughout the Eid-el-Kabir celebration period.

 In a statement on Tuesday by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, Egbetokun also ordered them to carry out patrols on major highways, flash points, worship, and relaxation centres, among others.

The statement read, “The IGP particularly directed the Zonal AIGs and state command CPs to deploy human and other operational assets to carry out confidence building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, residential and industrial areas, vulnerable points, places of worship, other places of public resort and around all critical national infrastructure devoid of harassment and extortion.

“The Inspector-General of Police, while congratulating the Muslim faithful in the country on the occasion of the year 2023 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, restated that the force would harness all available assets including relevant groups, associations, sectors, and synergise with other security agencies to boost its service delivery and stabilise general security within the nation.”

He, however, warned the personnel deployed for various assignments during the celebration to be disciplined, professional and respect the fundamental rights of the citizens.